Olds College Broncos badminton player Kaitlyn Dougan is getting ready for nationals which take place in Edmonton Feb. 28-March 3.
Dougan qualified for that tournament during Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference provincials, held during the Feb. 9 weekend, also in Edmonton.
Head coach Mary Smith thinks Dougan has a good chance to do well, but it won't be easy.
"I think it's going to be pretty challenging for her, but I think she will hold her own in competition," Smith said during an interview with the Albertan.
"She's a second-year student. She has come a long ways and she is playing really smart and calm and collected on court but she will be competing against international players out of Ontario. And she will be competing against players who have played the sport almost their whole life," Smith added.
Also during ACAC provincials, Morgan Lavalle placed sixth in men's singles.
Smith says that was "his best result all year."
Lavalle and Sherry Hahn placed fifth in mixed doubles. That was their best result all year as well.
In an earlier tournament, Hahn and Layce Donaldson placed third.
"They also narrowly lost in a three-game match to the team that placed first," Smith said.
She has come a long ways and she is playing really smart and calm and collected on court but she will be competing against international players out of Ontario. And she will be competing against players who have played the sport almost their whole life."
MARY SMITH
HEAD COACH
BRONCOS BADMINTON TEAM
